Awarded the ‘Sangeet Kala Ratna’ and honoured as Pandita, Uma Dogra is the senior most Ganda Bandh Shagird of Late Guru and world renowned Kathak maestro - Pt. Durga Lalji of the Jaipur Gharana. One of the leading exponents of Kathak dance.
Uma Dogra has been enthralling the audiences all over India and abroad for more than three decades now. Uma´s work expresses the subtle distinction between the literal translation of the lyrics and mature, evolved transmutation of music into movements. Uma´s dance is very traditional and classical but at the very same time a language of strong self expression. For her 38 years contribution in the field of Dance, Uma Dogra has been conferred with ‘Maharashtra Sanskriti State Puraskar’ from the Govt. of Maharashtra (2009-2010).
Uma Dogra performed various dance pieces, her portrayal of Hori ‘Na Maro Shyam Pichkari’ enthralled the audience and left them spell bound. Born in a distinguished family with a rich cultural heritage, Uma was initiated into the field of art of Kathak when she was barely seven years old. She had her early training in Lucknow school of Kathak under Smt. Reba Vidyarathi at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. Her quest of enriching her art with the technique of the Jaipur School led her to the leading light of Jaipur Gharana Pt. Durga Lalji.
The vigorous training under the exacting eye of her celebrated Guru molded her into an artist of rare individuality and exquisite taste. Through the very nature of her training, Uma combines in her art the delicacies and daintiness of the Lucknow as well as the vigor of alacrity of Jaipur Gharanas. Having imbibed from her Gurus the best of both traditions she has successfully enriched it with the stamp of her own personality- thus creating a style that is authentic and distinctly her own.
One of the leading exponents of Kathak dance herself, Uma Dogra has been enthralling the audiences all over India and abroad for more than three decades now. Uma Dogra´s perception of dance has also been enriched by her study of vocal under her father Pt. Motiram Sharma who was a Sitar player, has helped her explore the ideal of Dance as visual music.
Uma´s work expresses the subtle distinction between the literal translation of the lyrics and mature, evolved transmutation of music into movements. Uma´s dance is very traditional and classical but at the very same time a language of strong self expression.
Now settled in Mumbai, Uma is the foremost Kathak soloist, choreographer and teacher. Her commitment to the arts has seen her establish Samved Society For Performing Arts in 1990, in the memory of her Late Guru Pt. Durga Lalji.